Trailer lighting outage detection circuit

ABSTRACT

A vehicle LED lighting outage detection circuit is disclosed for detecting a fault in the LED light and automatically increasing the power drawn from the light power supply in response to the fault. A complementary detection circuit is also disclosed for detecting the increased power draw and signaling a fault to an operator. The increased power draw can be selected to be in the form of a pulse that settles to a lower power draw state after a time to avoid excessive and wasteful power draw. The system can be mounted in a vehicle and, more particularly, to a semi-tractor truck, or installed as a retrofit system into an existing semi-trailer system.

BACKGROUND

Many automotive vehicles have systems in place which provide a warningto the operator when an exterior lamp has failed. This can be importantin large tractor-trailers, where it may be difficult or impossible forthe operator to visually observe that an exterior lamp on the trailerhas failed. Traditional systems have been developed which detect theresulting current drop when an incandescent lamp fails (e.g., creates asan open circuit).

More modern vehicles and trailers are increasingly utilizing lightemitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source. These LEDs can also fail openin similar fashion as traditional incandescent bulbs. However, a typicalLED lamp uses much less current than their incandescent counterparts.Therefore, the current drop due to a failed LED is likely much less thanan incandescent bulb and may not be detectable by traditional bulboutage detection systems. For example, traditional incandescent bulboutage detection systems might detect a 2.1 Amp drop in a system when abulb fails. New LED lamps of the same function can have a drop as littleas 0.15 Amps. The issue is complicated when a single tractor may need totow trailers having either incandescent or LED lamps at different times.The issue is further complicated by the lack of a standard within theU.S. for the reporting or detection of failed lamps.

Hella KG Hueck & Co. has patented a product, shown in German Patentpublication DE10215486, which is for LED turn signals. In particular,when the turn signal LEDs are not illuminated, the lamp has an imbeddedmicrochip which actively sends a diagnostic signal through the LED,confirming that the LED is not failed open, and, therefore, presumablyoperational. A multiplexed signal reporting a detected failure istransmitted to the cab of the truck. This system requires pairedelectronic modules between the tractor and the trailer, addingcomplexity to the trailer lighting and harness system.

SUMMARY

Discussed herein are circuits for detecting failures in an LED lightingsystem. The circuits can include a load element electrically coupledbetween a power supply and a ground reference, a detection circuitconfigured and arranged to detect a failure in an LED lamp, and a powercontrol circuit responsive to the detection circuit. The power controlcircuit can be configured and arranged to modify current flowing throughthe load element. The power control circuit can also be configured toautomatically increase power dissipated by the load element when thedetection circuit detects a failure in the LED lamp. The load elementcan optionally be a thermistor and, furthermore, a Positive TemperatureCoefficient (PTC) thermistor.

The circuits can be configured to detect decreased power consumption bythe LED. The decreased power consumption can be less than two hundredmilliamps for a twelve volt supply voltage. The circuit canalternatively be configured to monitor the current draw of the LED lamp,a voltage across the LED lamp, a voltage in series with the lamp, or avoltage in parallel with the lamp. The outage detection circuit can beelectrically in series between the LED lamp and the power supply.

The detection circuit and the LED lighting system can be housedseparately or, housed in the same enclosure. The enclosure can have oneor more electrical contact points configured to electrically connectwith corresponding terminals mounted in a lighting socket of a vehicle.The circuit can include a socket configured to retain the LED lamp, thesocket having electrical terminals configured to electrically connect tothe LED; an enclosure configured to retain the LED lamp, the enclosurehaving electrical terminals configured to electrically connect to theLED lamp and socket terminals; with the detection circuit, power controlcircuit, and load element are mounted in the enclosure and theenclosure.

The circuits can be configured to detect changes after the detection ofa fault in the LED lamp from a first electrical current flow rate at afirst time to a second electrical current flow rate at a second time,wherein the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate andwherein the voltage at the first time is substantially equal to thevoltage at the second time. The detection circuit can include a varietyof circuit methods that can further be electrically connected to apositive input of the LED lamp.

Discussed are also systems for detecting a fault in a vehicle lightingsystem. The systems can include a fault detection circuit configured tobe electrically coupled to a power control circuit and an LED faultlight, the fault detection circuit configured to detect the increasedcurrent flow caused by the power control circuit and automaticallyactivate the LED fault light in response to the increased current flow.

The LED fault light can be mounted inside of a vehicle cabin or on thefront of a trailer. If the fault detection circuit is mounted on thefront of the trailer, the system does not have to be configured for aspecific truck. The fault detection circuit can be configured to detectthe condition where an electrical current flow changes after thedetection of a fault in the LED lamp from a first electrical currentflow rate at a first time to a second electrical current flow rate at asecond time, wherein the first flow rate is greater than the second flowrate and wherein the voltage at the first time is substantially equal tothe voltage at the second time. The fault detection circuit canoptionally be configured to measure the change in voltage across aresistor.

Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, andembodiments of the present invention will become apparent from thedetailed description and drawings provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrated example of an outagedetection circuit for a vehicle lamp.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an outagedetection circuit for a vehicle lamp like the circuit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an outagedetection circuit for a vehicle lamp like the circuit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of an outagedetection circuit for a vehicle lamp like the circuit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram an example of an outage detection circuitfor a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of a fault detection circuitfor a vehicle lamp configured for use with the outage detection circuitslike those in FIG. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a semi-trailer and truck illustratingone example of a trailer and tractor with the circuits of FIGS. 1-6installed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating another example of the circuitsof FIGS. 1-5 mounted in conjunction with an LED lamp.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating another example of the circuitsof FIGS. 1-5 mounted in an outer casing.

FIG. 10 is a chart illustrating example waveforms for error reportingfrom the circuits of FIGS. 1-5

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate configuration usingoutage detection circuits like those of the preceding figures connectedwith a fault detection circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itmay nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modificationsin the described embodiments, and any further applications of theprinciples of the invention as described herein are contemplated aswould normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates. Certain embodiments of the invention are shown in great detail,although it may be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art thatsome features that are not relevant to the present invention may not beshown for the sake of clarity.

One example of a vehicle lamp outage system 100 is illustrated inFIG. 1. The system 100 includes an outage detection circuit 110 which isoperatively connected between a voltage supply, such as a trailerharness and lighting system 114, and a vehicle LED 112. A trailerharness and lighting system may be characterized as a wiring andlighting system configured to distribute power to various light sourcesthroughout the trailer. The outage detection circuit 110 can further besubdivided into two or more other circuits. As an example, a detectioncircuit 102 and a control circuit (also referred to as an “increasecircuit”) 104 are enumerated. The voltage supply 114 typically comprisesa lighting circuit output from the vehicle, typically derived from abattery and/or alternator in a truck connected to the trailer. Thetrailer lighting system typically comprises an LED STT, turn, marker, orbrake lamp (or combination of these) on the vehicle. Thus, it shall beunderstood that the system 100 may be duplicated for multiple lamps of avehicle. In one embodiment, the LED 112 is located on a trailer and/ortruck. The LED 112 optionally includes a power terminal 122 and groundterminal 124 as shown. The outage detection circuit 110 optionallyincludes switching devices 118 and 120. In the illustrated embodiment,the switching devices 118 and 120 are optionally implemented as currentcontrolled NPN bipolar junction transistors, although other types ofswitching devices may be used. The outage detection circuit alsooptionally includes resistors 127, 128, 130 and 136, and positivetemperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor 144 connected as shown. The PTCcan be considered a load element in this circuit.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 operates as follows. Whenthe LED 112 is activated by the driver, the voltage supply 114 causescurrent to flow to the lamp power terminal 112. If the lamp isfunctioning properly, current may flow through the lamp to the groundterminal 124. From the ground terminal 124, a portion of the current maybe directed through resistor 127 to a control input 126 of switchingdevice 118. When the switching device 118 is implemented as an NPNtransistor as shown, the control input 126 comprises the base of thetransistor. The remaining portion of the current from terminal 124 mayflow through resistor 128 to ground 116. The balance of current betweenresistors 126 and 128 may be set by selectively choosing the values ofthe resistors in order to ensure that control input of the switchingdevice is not overloaded. With current supplied to input 126, theswitching device 118 may turn on and allow current to flow from thevoltage supply 114, through resistor 130, into switching input 132 (thecollector of the transistor as illustrated), out the switching output134 (the emitter of the transistor as illustrated) and to the ground116. In the above normally operating state, minimal current may flow tothe input 138 of switching device 120, since the current from resistor130 may be shunted to ground 116 by the switching device 118. Theresistor 130 may optionally be sized large enough such that only a smallamount of additional current may be drawn from the supply 114 when thelamp is functioning properly. In this state, switching device 120 may beoff and may allow only minimal current to flow through the load element.

However, if the LED 112 fails open, current flow to the control input126 of switching device 118 may be interrupted. This may cause theswitching device 118 to turn off, interrupting current flow from theswitching input 132 to the switching output 134. As a result, currentfrom resistor 130 may be directed to the switching input 138 ofswitching device 120. This may cause the switching device 120 to turnon, allowing current to flow from the supply 114, through PTC thermistor144, into switching input 140, and out switching output 142 to ground116. In the illustrated embodiment, the switching device 120 isimplemented as an NPN bipolar transistor, the control input 138 is thebase of the transistor, the switching input 140 is the collector of thetransistor, and the switching output 142 is the emitter of thetransistor. The PTC thermistor 144 may optionally be sized to allow arelatively high amount of additional current to be drawn from voltagesupply 114. This increase in current may be detected by additionalvehicle circuitry as will be later disclosed to ultimately drive acorresponding indicator device to alert the driver of the failed lamp.

When the LED 112 fails, the PTC thermistor 144 may initially draw a highamount of current from the supply 114. This high current may then bereduced as time passes. In this example, increased current can cause theresistance of the PTC thermistor 144 to increase. When this happens, thecurrent through the PTC thermistor 144 may decrease to an equilibriumlevel which is lower at this later time than the initial high currentdraw at the earlier time. In this way, the “high current pulse” may beprovided for some period of time which may trigger additional detectioncircuitry. As discussed, the current draw may be reduced over time toprevent unnecessary current draw through the circuit until the lamp canbe repaired or replaced.

Capacitor 150 is optionally provided to prevent a false outageindication when the lamp is initially turned on or off. Morespecifically, on initial startup, current may begin to flow fromresistor 130 to control input 138 before switching device 118 turns on.Any such current may be temporarily shorted to ground by capacitor 150to prevent switching device 120 from turning on and triggering a falseoutage indication.

Other types of current regulating devices may be used in place of PTCthermistor 144. For example, a resettable fuse may be used whichinitially draws a high current, then switches open for a predeterminedtime before resetting. Alternatively, a simple resistor could be used todraw a relatively high current from the power supply in response to afailure. A Resistor Capacitor (RC) circuit that discharges when there isa fault detected can also be used to generate a pulse. Otherwise, aswitching device can be commanded to close in response to an RC circuitor other components to alter the amount of time that the switch isclosed. A higher voltage can alternatively be applied in response to afailure. For example, a transformer device such as a charge pump can beused to generate the higher voltage.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system 200 which provides a similar functionalityas the system 100, using different components. The system 100 includesan outage detection circuit 210 which is operatively connected betweenthe voltage supply 114 and vehicle LED 112. As shown, the circuit 210includes a current monitor 214 and a comparator 216. One suitableexample of the current monitor 214 is the ZXCT 1009 high-side currentmonitor supplied by Zetex Semiconductors. In the illustrated embodiment,the current monitor 214 comprises monitor terminals 222 and 224 whichare connected across a resistor 212 that may be characterized as a senseresistor. The current monitor 214 outputs a current at output terminal226 which is proportional to the voltage across the resistor 212. Whenthe LED 112 is functioning properly, there may be a voltage across theresistor 212 which may result in current flowing from terminal 226. Dueto the connection of resistors 228 and 230 as shown, a voltage may bepresent at node 232 and at an input 234 of comparator 216. The resistors228 and 230 may be selected such that the voltage at node 232 when theLED 112 is functioning properly may be greater than a reference voltagepresent at input 236 of comparator 216. This may prevent current fromflowing into control input 240 (base) of switching device 218(illustrated here as an NPN bipolar transistor). However, when the LED112 fails open, the voltage across resistor 212 may be interrupted. Thismay also reduce the voltage at node 232, thereby allowing current toflow through point 238, resistor 242, and into control input 240. Thismay cause switching device 218 to turn on (with current flowing fromswitching input 250 (collector) to switching output 252 (emitter), toground 116. When switching device 218 turns on, current may flow throughPTC thermistor 220. In a similar fashion to system 100 above, the PTCthermistor 220 may result in an initial high current pulse, followed bya reduced current draw once the PTC thermistor reaches equilibrium.Capacitor 270 and resistor 246 are optionally provided to prevent afalse outage indication when the lamp is initially turned on or off insimilar fashion to capacitor 150 above.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 according to a further embodimentconfigured to provide similar functionality like system 200, but whichuses a transistor switching device 316 (shown here as an NPN bipolartransistor) in place of the comparator 216. The system 300 includes anoutage detection circuit 310 which is operatively connected between thevoltage supply 114 and vehicle LED 112. As shown, the circuit 210optionally includes a current monitor 314 and the switching device 316.One suitable example of the current monitor 314 is the ZXCT 1009high-side current monitor supplied by Zetex Semiconductors. In theillustrated embodiment, the current monitor 314 comprises monitorterminals 322 and 324 which are connected across resistor 312 as shown.The current monitor 314 outputs a current at output terminal 326 whichis proportional to the voltage across the resistor 312. When the LED 112is functioning properly, there may be a voltage across the resistor 312which may result in current flowing from terminal 326. This current mayflow through resistors 328 and 330 and into control input (base) ofswitching device 334. As a result, switching device 316 may turn on andallow current to flow from switching input 338 (collector) to switchingoutput 340 (emitter). This may prevent current from flowing into controlinput 342 (base) of switching device 318. However, when the LED 112fails open, the voltage across resistor 312 may be interrupted. This mayalso reduce the voltage at node 332, thereby allowing current to flowthrough resistor 336, and into control input 342 (via resistor 344).This may cause switching device 318 to turn on (with current flowingfrom switching input 346 (collector) to switching output 348 (emitter),to ground 116. When switching device 318 turns on, current may flowthrough PTC thermistor 320. In a similar fashion to systems 100 and 200above, operation of PTC thermistor 320 may result in an initial highcurrent pulse drawn from supply 114, followed by a reduced current drawonce the PTC thermistor reaches equilibrium. Capacitor 370 is optionallyprovided to prevent a false outage indication when the lamp is initiallyturned on or off in similar fashion to capacitor 150 above.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a system like system 100, 200, and300. System 400 provides a similar functionality using a comparator 414and additional switching device 424. Any suitable comparator andswitching device 424 may be used. For example, a comparator 414 may bean operational amplifier (or “op-amp”) as illustrated. In anotherexample, switching device illustrated at 424 may be an n-channel MetalOxide Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET). The system 400 includes anoutage detection circuit 410 which is operatively connected between thevoltage supply 114 and vehicle LED 112. In the illustrated embodiment,the comparator 414 comprises a first input 416, a second input 418, andoutput terminal 420. The switching device 424 comprises control input426 (gate), switching input 428 (drain) and switching output 430(source).

When the LED 112 is functioning properly, there may be current flowingthrough resistor 412, resulting in a current drop across the resistor412. The comparator may drive the linear device 424 from the controlinput 426, such that the voltage at the inverting input 416 may bedriven about equal to the non-inverting input 418. As illustrated inFIG. 4, this result can depend on the value of resistor 422, resistor432, resistor 436 and the switching characteristics of switching device424 as driven by comparator 414. This results in current flow to thecontrol input 426 which is sufficient to keep switching device 424 atleast partially on to mirror the current in resistor 412. Current istherefore allowed to flow into the control input 434 (base) of switchingdevice 438 via the resistor divider network composed of resistors 432and 436, allowing current to flow from switching input 440 (collector)to switching output 442 (emitter) via resistor 444. This may preventcurrent from flowing into control input 446 (base) of switching device448.

When LED 112 fails open, the voltage drop due to the drop in currentthrough resistor 412 can raise the voltage at second input 418. Thevoltage at 418 may then be higher than the voltage at 416. Thecomparator 414 is configured to detect this differential and may changethe output 420. This change in output at 420 may prevent current fromflowing to the control input 426 of switching linear device 424, therebyturning off switching device 424 and preventing current from reachingcontrol input 434 of switching device 438. This may cause allow currentto flow from resistor 444 through resistor 450 to control input 446 ofswitching device 448. Switching device 448 may then turn on (withcurrent flowing from switching input 452 (collector) to switching output454 (emitter), to ground 116). When switching device 318 turns on,current may flow through PTC thermistor 456. In a similar fashion tosystem 300 above, operation of PTC thermistor 456 may result in aninitial high current pulse drawn from supply 114, followed by a reducedcurrent draw once the PTC thermistor reaches equilibrium. Capacitor 458is optionally provided to prevent a false outage indication when thelamp is initially turned on or off in similar fashion to capacitor 150above.

FIG. 5 illustrates a system 500 according to a further embodiment whichprovides a similar functionality as the above embodiments, but whichuses a current monitoring device 514 and a programmable switching device515 (illustrated here as a microprocessor) to control activation of aload element PTC thermistor 520. The system 500 includes an outagedetection circuit 510 which is operatively connected between the voltagesupply 114 and vehicle LED 112. In the illustrated embodiment, thecurrent monitor 514 comprises monitoring inputs 522 and 524, whichmonitor the current through a sensing resistor 512, and an output 526.One example of an acceptable current switching device is the LT6106 highside current sense amplifier supplied by Linear Technology of Milpitas,Calif. The programmable switching device 515 comprises a control input528 and a switching output 530. One example of an acceptableprogrammable switching device is the ATtiny25 microprocessor supplied byAtmel Corporation of San Jose, Calif. The programmable switching devicemay be programmed to deliver or interrupt current to its output 530depending on various conditions. The system also includes switchingdevice 518 which is connected in series with a resistor 520. Theresistor 520 is sized to produce a current pulse which is larger thanthe current drawn by the LED 112 as described below. In the illustratedembodiment, the switching device 518 is an n-channel metal oxide fieldeffect transistor (MOSFET) having control input 542 (gate), switchinginput 544 (drain) and switching output 550 (source).

When the LED 112 is functioning properly, there may be current flowingthrough resistor 512, which may be detected by the current sensingdevice 514. The current sensing device 514 may direct current to output526 and input 528 to signal the switching device 515 that current isflowing through resistor 512 and LED 112. The switching device isaccordingly configured to prevent current from flowing to the controlinput of switching device 518. This may keep switching device 518 turnedoff and prevent current flow through the resistor 520. However, when theLED 112 fails open, the current sensing device 514 may increase thecurrent from its output 526 to the input 528 of the programmableswitching device 515. The programmable switching device 515 may in turndirect current to its output 530 and further to the control input 542 ofthe switching device 542. This may turn on switching device 518 andallow current to flow through the resistor 520, and through switchinginput 544 and switching output 550 to ground 116. Due to the size ofresistor 520, the additional current drawn by resistor 520 from thesupply 114 may be high enough to be detected by additional sensingcircuitry in the vehicle. The programmable switching device may be onconfigured to interrupt current to the control input 542 after apredetermined time, to limit unnecessary current drawn once the pulsehas been produced. Because the switching device 515 is programmableusing software or machine readable code, the circuit can be configuredfor multiple system implementations without the need to replaceresistors or other component value. Resistors 552, 527, 529, and 531 canbe chosen as needed to configure the currents and/or voltages providedto the components of this circuit. Schottky diode 554 can be optionallyincluded to protect against ground plane disturbances such as errantvoltages being present on the ground plane or “ground bounce”.

The outage detection circuits 110, 210, 310, 410 can further besubdivided into two or more other circuits. As an example, a detectioncircuit can be selected. The detection circuit can encompass thecomponents of the circuit that enable detection of the failure of theLED. An control circuit can also be defined. The control circuit canencompass the components that cause increased power draw from the powersupply.

Optionally, two or more distinctive current signatures may be generatedby outage detection circuits 110, 210, 310, and/or 410, with differentsignatures pertaining to different lamp locations. In this way, thesystem may differentiate between failures of various lamps in the systemand convey that information to the truck cabin giving them more specificinformation as to which lamp or lamps have failed.

The voltage signatures can take the form of multiple current pulses thatcan be enabled, for example, by selectively switching load elements ofoutage detection circuits between the power supply and respective groundreference. Alternatively, multiple load elements can be used to vary theintensity of the current signature. Using these methods, differentdistinctive current signatures can be generated that very in amplitude,duration, or both. One specific example would be using a single pulse todenote outage of an LED at one location and a double pulse to denote thefailure of an LED at another location. A microprocessor can be includedin the outage detection circuit to effectuate the generation of thesepulses.

FIG. 10 illustrates example distinctive electrical signatures that canbe associated with different LED locations. Illustrated is a graph 1000.On the horizontal axis of the graph, time t is denoted. The verticalaxis can pertain to current or a corresponding voltage. The waveformscan generally be considered to represent the electrical current passingthrough an LED being monitored by an outage detection circuit. A defaultwaveform 1006 is illustrated as an example standard output waveform thatcan be output be the outage detection circuits 110, 210, 310, or 410. Itshould be evident that the waveform is an idealized example to betterillustrate the differences between possible output waveforms. The actualwaveform output by the outage detection circuits can vary significantly.For example, the waveform output by the outage detection circuits asdisclosed may not resemble a square pulse. Instead, it can take the formof a hill with gradually changing transitions. Alternatively, the outputwaveform does not have to return to a zero current state (for example,returning to the horizontal axis) and can instead indicate continuednon-zero current conduction. Such an example waveform is illustrated as1018.

The default waveform 1006 is illustrated showing a specific amplitude1024, width 1020 occurring over a time period 1014. Waveform 1006 mayappear as a continuous current for a non-flashing lamp. A second examplewaveform 1008 is illustrated where two of the default waveforms 1006occur within a specified time period 1016. The time periods 1014 and1016 with corresponding waveforms 1006 and 1008 can be compared by afault detection circuit to differentiate the two waveforms. Such amethod could allow a system to detect a flashing lamp, such as a hazardor turn signal flashing mode.

A third example waveform 1010 is illustrated. The amplitude 1026 of thethird example waveform 1010 differs from the amplitude 1024 of thedefault example waveform 1006. The difference in amplitude can be usedto differentiate the waveforms. In other words, the fault detectioncircuit may be configured to detect a pulse over threshold 1004 as alamp failure. A fourth example waveform 1012 is illustrated having thesame amplitude 1026 as the third waveform 1006 but of a longer duration.The third example waveform 2014 may have a different duration 1022 thanthe default waveform 1006 and can be used to differentiate the twowaveforms.

The waveform or current signature can optionally be separatelyconfigured for each LED lamp thus configuring different waveformscorresponding to different lamps in the trailer lighting system. Forexample, a rear right turn signal can be manufactured and marketed thatgenerates a unique failure signature. Alternatively, the LED lamps canhave a switch, such as a Dual Inline Package (DIP) switch, to set theirinstallation location and therefore the corresponding specific errorsignature that can be output. Alternatively, the LED lamps can beprogrammed before or after they are installed, such as wirelessly orthrough a CAN Bus or other multiplex port. As a further example, theoutage detection circuit can receive programming information pertainingto its installed location after it is installed into a truck or trailerfrom a wireless or wired device.

FIG. 10 also illustrates a lower bound 1002 and an upper bound 1004 onthe vertical axis. These bounds represent example minimum and maximumcurrent draws for a circuit including a power supply, one or more LEDlamps, and referenced ground. The selection of these bounds can bechosen to avoid false positives and also to avoid overcurrent conditionswithin the system. As an example, a standard seven-wire truckinterconnection socket may include dedicated signals for the running,right turn, left turn, and backup lights respectively. Each of thesesignals/circuits can contain multiple lamps in parallel. The lamps canbe LED lamps, incandescent lamps, or a combination. For example, afailed LED lamp may be replaced with an incandescent lamp or vice versa.

LED lamps are more commonly being used, in part, because they generallyrequire less power to effectively generate the same amount of lightcompared to an incandescent bulb. It is advantageous that the currentdrawn from the power supply of a lamp circuit by an outage detectioncircuit when a lamp failure is detected be chosen such that the currentdraw is greater than the current draw of a nominally operationalincandescent bulb lamp (or multiple such lamps on the same circuit). Inthis manner, false positive fault reporting can be avoided from the useof incandescent bulbs in the lamp circuit. It has been found that a fouramp minimum power draw by the outage detection circuit is a sufficientvalue to avoid false positives within the circuit and allow the use ofincandescent bulbs.

The maximum current that can be drawn from the lamp circuit can bedictated by the wire size used in the circuit. Typically, new truck andtrailer installations use 18 gauge wire. This size wire can be rated tosafely carry seven amps of current when the wire is made of aluminum.Greater amperage draw may result in inadvertent fuse failure or damageto the wiring.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fault detection circuit 600 for communicating afault using an outage detection circuit 608, such as the previouslydisclosed (110, 210, 310, 410, and 510) circuits. A power supply 610 maypower an indicator 612 configured to detect when a fault has beendetected. Each LED circuit 602 can include an outage detection circuit608 and one or more LEDs 112. One or more LED circuits 602 can be usedwith the fault detection circuit 600. FIG. 6 illustrates two suchcircuits 602, however any suitable number of circuits 602 can be used.

Fault detection circuit 600 can comprise of a high side current senseamplifier and comparator 604. A Linear Technologies LT6108 is an exampleof such a device. A power supply 114 can be used to supply power to theoutage detection circuits. As illustrated, the power to the LED circuit602 flows through a resistor 606, that may be characterized as a senseresistor. The amplifier and comparator 604 may use two inputs 624 and626 to measure the voltage drop across the resistor 606. A set point canbe configured via selection of resistors 620 and 622 such that when theamplifier and comparator 604 detects a certain amount of current flowingthrough resistor 606, the amplifier and comparator 604 activates an opencollector output 628. Open collector output 628 can be electricallyconnected to the gate of an NPN MOSFET 610 and forward biasing theMOSFET 610. In this manner, current can flow from the power supply 610,through the indicator 612, through the diode 616, and through the MOSFET610. Resistor 630 can be included to limit the amount of current passingthrough the output 628. Other switching circuits known in the art canalternatively be used.

Multiple fault detection circuits 600 can be used. In this example,diodes 616 and 618 allows two fault detection circuits 600 to enable thesame indicator 612. However any suitable number of fault detectioncircuits 600 can be used with the addition of corresponding diodes like616 and 618. In another example, each fault detection circuit 600 canuse a dedicated indicator. In any of the examples disclosed above, eachsystem 600 can include a dedicated power supply 114, 614 or all systems600 can share a power supply. Advantageously, for the fault detectionsystem disclosed, the ground reference 634 for power supply 114 can alsobe isolated from the ground reference 632 for the fault detectioncircuit 600.

In another example, the fault detection circuit 600 can include theadditional feature of activating only the fault indicator 612 when aspecific power profile is detected, for example, when a PTC thermistoris used as a load element in the outage detection circuit. Such acircuit could include, for example, a microprocessor in place of theamplifier and comparator 604. Alternatively, multiple amplifier andcomparators (or other devices) can be set at different values so thatthey can latch in a cascade fashion to detect a higher power draw andthen the lower, equilibrium power draw.

FIG. 7 illustrates example implementations of the circuits describedherein. In this example, a circuit for detecting and communicatingfault(s) in the LED lighting 700 is located in the cabin 706 of asemi-trailer truck 712. This fault detecting and reporting circuit 700can include any of the circuits disclosed herein. Alternatively, a faultdetecting and reporting circuit 700 can be mounted on the trailer 708 ofthe truck 712. If located on the trailer 708, an indicator can bepositioned and then illuminated when a fault is detected to be visibleby the operator using a rear view mirror.

LED lights or strings of lights electrically connected in series,parallel, or in any suitable combination thereof, can be associated withone or more outage detecting circuits (such as 110, 210, 310, 410, or510). For example, the turn signs 702 on the cabin 706 of the truck canuse a fault detection circuit. Alternatively, other lights 714 on thecabin 706 can be electrically connected to any of the disclosed outagedetection circuits disclosed herein. These lights may be used such asfor running lights, indicator lights, brake lights and the like. Thetrailer 708 can also have running lights 704 and brake lights 710electrically connected to outage detecting circuit(s) as disclosedherein. These trailer fault detection circuits can be electricallyconnected to the fault detecting and reporting circuit 700 so that LEDfailures can be communicated to the operator. The fault detecting andreporting circuit(s) may use different power supplies and/or groundreferences than the circuits used to power the lights. For example, thetrailer 708 may have an independent power supply to power its lights andother equipment that is isolated from the power supply of the cabin 706.

The components of circuits 110, 210, 310, 410 or 510 may be includedwithin a single outer casing, such as a vehicle lamp outer casing.Alternatively, certain components may be located in separate outercasings or in an intermediary outer casing between the lamp outer casingand the vehicle.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary mount for the outage detection circuitsdisclosed herein elsewhere. One illustration shows an LED device 800including an outage detection circuit 804 in a vehicle lamp outer casing802. The circuit 804 can be any suitable detection circuit, including,but not limited to, one of circuits 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, and thelike. The outer casing 802 may include an optional lens 808 for the LED806. Terminals 810 and 812 may be included and configured toelectrically power the outage detection circuit 804 and the LED 806.This configuration enables the LED device 800 to be used in place oftraditional lamps and can be inserted into terminals configured toelectrically connect the LED device to the terminal. These terminals 832can be preexisting on vehicles, for example. Alternatively, a single LEDdevice 800 can be used with multiple traditional LED or other lightingdevices that may or may not include an outage detection circuit 804. TheLED device 800 can also contain multiple LEDs 806 that can collectivelybe used with a singular outage detection circuit 804.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate intermediate outer casing illustration900 is also included. In this example, a traditional LED lamp package902 is included that has its own body portion 904, lens 906, LED 908,terminal 910, and terminal 912. The outage detection circuit 804 may bemounted within an intermediary enclosure 914. The intermediary enclosure914 can include terminal 913 configured to electrically connect withterminal 912 of the LED 908. The intermediary enclosure 914 can alsoinclude terminal 911 configured to electrically connect with terminal910 of the LED 908. The terminals 911 and 913 can, for example, besockets corresponding to the terminal leads of the LED. The intermediaryenclosure 914 can include a cathode terminal 916 and anode terminal 918of its own. Advantageously, this anode 916 and cathode 918 can besubstantially similar to the LED anode 912 and cathode 910, such thatthe intermediary enclosure 914 can be used between an LED lamp 902 andan existing socket 920 configured to accept the LED lamp 902. The anode916 and cathode 918 of the intermediary enclosure 914 can also be of adifferent configuration than the LED anode 912 and cathode 910 to adapta socket for use with an LED package that is not configured to beinserted directly into the socket.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 1100 that usescircuits like the circuits described herein. A power supply 1120 can beused to supply power to the various individual circuits through positiveelectrical connection 1110. Power supply 1120 may optionally be providedvia a fault detection circuit 1108. Fault detection circuit 1108 mayreceive power from power supply 114. The LED lamp 112, can receive powervia the positive interconnection 1110, and may be grounded via negativeinterconnection 1118.

An outage detection circuit 1102 is illustrated as also being coupled topositive interconnection 1110. The detection circuit 1102 can detectoutages in LED lamp 112 by any suitable means such as electrically,thermally, physically, via transmitted light, and/or according to any ofthe examples illustrated and discussed herein elsewhere. Detectioncircuit 1102 may be coupled to a control circuit 1104 at 1114. When LEDlamp 112 fails, detection circuit 1102 can signal control circuit 1104to generate a change in current detectable by fault detection circuit1108.

The term “anode” here means the positively charged electrode by whichthe electrons leave a device.

The term “base” here means the control terminal of a bipolar junctiontransistor that controls the conductivity of the channel between thecollector and emitter.

The term “cathode” here means the negatively charged electrode by whichelectrons enter an electrical device.

The term “collector” here means the terminal of a bipolar junctiontransistor into which a switched current enters when the transistor isforward biased.

The term “control input” here means an input terminal of a device wherethe signal received at the terminal determines the functionality of thedevice. Some examples include the base of an NPN bipolar junctiontransistor and the gate of a MOSFET transistor.

The term “diode” here means a two terminal electrical device whichallows current to flow in one direction, but prevents current fromflowing in the opposite direction. Examples include p-n silicon junctiondiodes, light emitting diodes, Schottky diodes, and Zener diodes, toname a few.

The term “drain” here means the terminal of a field effect transistorout of which a switched current leaves the transistor when thetransistor is forward biased.

The term “emitter” here means the terminal of a bipolar junctiontransistor out of which a switched current leaves the transistor whenthe transistor is forward biased.

The term “fail open” here means to stop conducting current due to aninternal component failure.

The term “FMVSS 108 compliant” here means, meeting the candela,illuminated surface area and other requirements set forth by U.S. 49C.F.R. §571.108.

The term “Illuminated surface area” here means, per 49 C.F.R. §571.108,the Effective projected luminous lens area (EPLLA), which means the areaof the orthogonal projection of the effective light-emitting surface ofa lamp on a plane perpendicular to a defined direction relative to theaxis of reference. Unless otherwise specified, the direction iscoincident with the axis of reference.

The term “fuse” here means a safety device a material that melts andbreaks an electric circuit if the current through the material exceeds aspecified safe level.

The term “gate” here means the control terminal of a field-effecttransistor that controls the conductivity of the channel between thesource and drain.

The term “LED” here means light emitting diode, including single diodesas well as arrays of LED's and/or grouped light emitting diodes. Thiscan include the die and/or the LED film or other laminate, LED packages,said packages may include encapsulating material around a die, and thematerial, typically transparent, may or may not have color tintingand/or may or may not have a colored sub-cover. An LED can be a varietyof colors, shapes, sizes and designs, including with or without heatsinking, lenses, or reflectors, built into the package.

The term “LED fault signal” here means a signal that is used to indicatethe failure of an LED. The LED fault signal can take the form of powerto illuminate a fault LED, a data message (such as via a serialcommunication protocol or other), a mechanical indicator, or other. TheLED fault signal can be used to communicate a failed LED to an onboardcomputer or display system within a truck cabin.

The term “light” here means light which is visible to the naked humaneye.

The term “node” here means an electrical junction between two or moreelectrical components, wherein the voltage at all physical points withinthe node is substantially equal.

The term “outer casing” here means a physical outer casing, terminal,insulation or sheath on the outside of a component, exposed to thesurrounding environment such as outdoors and/or the inside of a traileror trailer conduit.

The term “on-board the trailer” here means part of the trailer (inside,outside or both) and not inside a truck.

The term “resistor” here means a device having a resistance to thepassage of electrical current.

The term “socket” here means an electrical device receiving light bulbor p to make a connection.

The term “source” here means The term “drain” here means the terminal ofa field effect transistor into which a switched current enters thetransistor when the transistor is forward biased.

The terms “stop-tail-turn” lamp or “STT” here means a lamp which iscompliant with present legal and/or regulatory requirements in thiscountry such as illuminated surface area, candela, and otherwise.

The term “switching device” here means a device which is capable ofdynamically allowing or interrupting current flow.

The term “terminal” here means a plug, socket or other connection (male,female, mixed, hermaphroditic, or otherwise) for mechanically andelectrically connecting two or more wires or other conductors.

The term “truck” here means a powered truck (also known as a tractor orcab) for pulling a trailer.

The term “vehicle” here means a self-propelled or towed device fortransportation, including without limitation, car, truck, bus, boat,tank or other military vehicle, airplane, truck trailer, truck cab, boattrailer, other trailer, emergency vehicle, and motorcycle.

Articles and phases such as, “the”, “a”, “an”, “at least one”, and “afirst”, are not limited to mean only one, but rather are inclusive andopen ended to also include, optionally, two or more of such elements. Interms of the meaning of words herein, literally different elements orwords in dependent claims are not superfluous, and have differentmeaning and are not to be imported or implied or synonymous withelements or words in the claims from which they depend.

The language used in the claims and the written description and in theabove definitions is to only have its plain and ordinary meaning, exceptfor terms explicitly defined above. Such plain and ordinary meaning isdefined here as inclusive of all consistent dictionary definitions fromthe most recently published (on the filing date of this document)general purpose Webster's dictionaries and Random House dictionaries.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit ofthe inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected.All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individualpublication, patent, or patent application were specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth inits entirety herein.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A circuit for detecting outage of an LED,comprising: means for detecting an outage of an LED; the LEDelectrically coupled to a power supply and a ground reference whereinthe LED is powered by current flowing between said power supply and theground reference; and means for increasing current flowing between thepower supply and said ground reference automatically in response todetection of the outage of an LED.
 13. The circuit of claim 12 whereinsaid increased current flow is substantially larger than the nominalcurrent flow induced by powering said LED.
 14. The circuit of claim 12wherein the current flow changes after the detection of a fault in theLED lamp from a first flow rate at a first time to a second flow rate ata second time, wherein the first flow rate is greater than the secondflow rate and wherein the power supply voltage at the first time issubstantially equal to the power supply voltage at the second time. 15.The circuit of claim 12, further comprising: a fault detection meanselectrically coupled to the means for increasing current and the meansfor detecting an outage of an LED, the fault detection means configuredto detect an increased current flow caused by the means for increasingcurrent to automatically activate the means for detecting an outage ofan LED in response to the increased current flow.
 16. The circuit ofclaim 12, wherein the LED draws less than 1 amp.
 17. The circuit ofclaim 12, wherein the means for increasing current induces an increasedelectrical current flow of at least 4 amps.
 18. The circuit of claim 17,wherein the means for increasing current induces an increased electricalcurrent flow of less than 7 amps.
 19. The circuit of claim 12 whereinthe means for detecting an outage is configured to monitor the currentdraw of the LED, a voltage across the LED, a voltage in series with thelamp, or a voltage in parallel with the LED.
 20. The circuit of claim12, wherein the fault detection means is mounted to a truck, the truckconfigured for use with a trailer.
 21. The circuit of claim 12, whereinthe means for detecting outage of an LED, the LED, and the means forincreasing current are mounted to a trailer.